IDOT's Carrie Nelson Connects with Southern Illinois Crews Ahead of 2026 Construction Season

IDOT's Carrie Nelsen shares safety focus and 2026 project outlook with Southern Illinois construction crews.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 1:58am

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IDOT District 9 Program Development Engineer Carrie Nelsen recently visited E.T. Simonds Construction's annual Safety Day in Carbondale, where she outlined upcoming infrastructure projects and emphasized the agency's focus on safety and community engagement as construction activity ramps up across Southern Illinois.

Why it matters

With over $1 billion in active construction projects underway in IDOT District 9, Nelsen's outreach efforts aim to improve communication and coordination between the transportation agency, contractors, and the public to ensure a safe and productive 2026 construction season.

The details

Nelsen highlighted major investments in bridge rehabilitation, culvert replacements, and intersection upgrades along key corridors like Interstate 57 and Illinois 13 in Carbondale. She stressed that safety is the top priority, whether improving road quality or addressing specific crash locations. To better connect with communities, IDOT is expanding its use of advisory groups and local outreach to shape project decisions.

  • On March 5, 2026, Nelsen visited E.T. Simonds Construction's annual Safety Day in Carbondale.
  • IDOT District 9 has seen more than $250 million in awarded contracts annually in recent years, with over $1 billion in active construction projects underway.

The players

Carrie Nelsen

IDOT District 9 Program Development Engineer who is engaging with contractors and communities about upcoming infrastructure projects and the agency's safety focus.

E.T. Simonds Construction

A construction company that hosts an annual Safety Day event for its nearly 300 employees ahead of the construction season.

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What they’re saying

“We're here to improve the transportation system. If you have a transportation problem, bring it to us. Let's talk about the ideas, because every project has trade-offs, and we want to work with communities to find the best solutions.”

— Carrie Nelsen, IDOT District 9 Program Development Engineer

“When we look at projects, safety is always our number one priority. Whether it's improving the quality of the roadway or addressing specific crash locations, we're focused on reducing the most severe and fatal accidents wherever we can.”

— Carrie Nelsen, IDOT District 9 Program Development Engineer

“There's often a disconnect. We do a lot of public involvement early on, then there can be a long gap before construction begins. People see the work later and don't always connect it back to the planning or understand why it's happening.”

— Carrie Nelsen, IDOT District 9 Program Development Engineer

“We bring our entire team together each year to focus on safety and preparation for the season ahead. We train our people to look out for one another on every job site, and as work increases across the region, we're asking the public to do the same. Slow down, stay alert, and eliminate distractions when traveling through work zones.”

— Beck Simonds, E.T. Simonds Construction

What’s next

With crews returning to job sites across Southern Illinois, officials say that awareness, both on the job and behind the wheel, will play a critical role in ensuring a safe and productive construction season.

The takeaway

IDOT's outreach efforts to connect directly with contractors and communities ahead of the 2026 construction season highlight the agency's focus on safety, collaboration, and improving communication to deliver key infrastructure projects that will shape the transportation system in Southern Illinois.